Canadian Sebastien Toutant wins bronze at snowboarding Grand Prix

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, Calif. – Sebastien Toutant of Montreal won bronze in men’s slopestyle at the U.S. snowboarding Grand Prix on Wednesday.

Eric Beauchemin of the United States took the men’s title, while Yuki Kadono of Japan was second. Tyler Nicholson of North Bay, Ont., was fourth while Maxence Parrot of Bromont, Que., the X Games silver medallist last month, was sixth.

Wind speeds were measured up to 40 kilometres an hour.

“It was difficult to gain speed on the jumps because of the wind,” said Toutant, who finished ninth at the 2014 Olympics. “I wasn’t able to do the ride I planned because of the conditions but I’m pleased with my performance. The decision to go with a safer run was the right one and allowed me to get on the podium.”

In women’s slopestyle, Jenna Blasman of Kitchener, Ont., placed fourth. American Hailey Langland took gold, Anna Gasser of Austria was second and Enni Rukajaervi of Finland was third.

With a storm in the forecast for Thursday and even stronger winds expected, organizers decided to have the qualifying and finals on the same day.

“It was a long day but with the forecast it’s what we needed to do,” said Toutant.

Competition continues through to Saturday.